Ulo Kiigemagi

Ülo Kiigemägi, age 94, passed away peacefully in the early hours of January 24, 2018. Ülo was born to Arnold and Eugenie Kiigemägi on November 10, 1923 in Nõmme, Estonia. He left his home and studies in winter of 1944 during World War II, hoping to avoid being taken to an internment camp in Siberia, or forced into the Russian or German armies. He travelled alone to and across Germany for many horrendous months until he reached a displaced persons camp in Hamburg, Germany. There he met and later married Virve Õunapuu on June 26, 1948. His first child, Laura, was born there. In October 1949, they immigrated to the United States and settled in Portland, where his second child Mai was born. After surviving with a number of menial jobs in the Portland area, he became a student at Lewis and Clark College and graduated at the top of his class in Chemistry in 1952. In 1954, he secured a research position in the chemistry department at Oregon State College. The family moved to Corvallis, where Karan and Peter were born. There he worked for the next 30 years, completing his career as a Senior Instructor Emeritus in 1985. Once the children were raised, Ülo and Virve began taking classes in photography, botany and Oregon’s natural history, and traveling widely around the state. After his retirement, they took several international trips until an accident took her from him in 1989. Ülo continued to travel extensively with art, music, and natural history groups, visiting 48 countries, eventually even to newly independent Estonia and his childhood home. Through the years, Ülo volunteered widely and in many capacities, including at Grace Lutheran Church, Boy Scout Troop 163, and Good Samaritan Hospital. Ülo was a member of Audubon Society of Corvallis and attended many field trips—well into his later years—where he was beloved for his expertise and dry sense of humor. Ülo was a longtime supporter of the OSU Choral Music Department. He travelled to Europe several times with OSU choirs, including to his native Estonia. He was an active patron of the arts. He was well known for his photography and gave talks for the residents at care facilities for many years. Asked for words of wisdom for the next generation, he said, “Be kind and help one another.” Ulo is survived by his children, Laura Bakken, Mai Kiigemagi, Karan (Jim) Fairchild and Peter (Cyndi) Kiigemagi, his grandchildren, Kristen Keating, Micah Gathercoal, Emily Egan, Stefan Bakken, Karl (Karla) Fairchild, Jeremy (Katie) Bakken, and his great grandson Theo Bakken. In Estonia he is survived by his sister Inge Etverk and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Virve. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the OSU Music Department or Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life on February 23 at 11 am at Grace Lutheran Church in Corvallis, Oregon.

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Ulo Kiigemagi

November 10, 1923 - January 24, 2018